STATE OF BUSINESS: Seesaw

In some sections of the U.S. last
week, the rumble of recession grew. But in most the sounds were still
faint and far away. Largely because of seasonal layoffs, unemployment
jumped to 1,830,000 during the month of December, leading Government
experts to forecast a total of 2,000,000 jobless by the end of
January.

Autoworkers were hit hard, as carmakers began laying off men and cutting
back production. Studebaker planned to drop 3,000 workers; Hudson laid
off 4,500 men and shut down completely for seven days. The big surprise
was Chrysler, which laid off 7,650 men and cut back to one...